International Music Day or World Music Day is annually observed on 21 June to honour musicians and singers. The day also encourages young and amateur musicians to give a live demonstration of their talent to audiences.
World Music Day originated in France and is called ‘Fête de la Musique’, a music festival. On World Music Day, several free concerts are held worldwide to encourage musicians.
History And Significance
This particular day was first organised by Maurice Fleuret, Director of Music and Dance of France’s ministry of culture and Jack Lang, the then French minister of culture, in 1982. The celebration was held on the day of the summer solstice. Lang and Fleuret, along with architect-scenographer Christian Dupavillon, devised a plan to assemble musicians on the streets of Paris for the special day.
On 21 June 1982, a concert was held, and it celebrated both professional and amateur musicians all over France. Later, in 1985, other nations adopted this annual concert as the European Year of Music. Then in 1997, a contract was signed in Budapest, during the European Festival of Music and from then on, this day has been celebrated worldwide to encourage musicians.
World Music Day has helped revive many traditional genres that were once fading away. It has also helped introduce new musical trends and artists to the forefront. Apart from encouraging children to nurture their musical talents, the celebration also has a healing effect across communities.
Celebration
World Music Day is grandly celebrated in several countries, including India, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, the United States, China, and Japan. On this day, amateur musicians and popular singers/composers come out and participate in various musical concerts. In addition, on Fête de la Musique, free concerts and musical performances are organised in France.